Tesla Model 3 News and Discussion

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gzt

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#3370208 3-May-2025 14:40

Alternatively, remove all the Tesla badges, ugly anyway, and replace them all with colorful rainbow and unicorn badges. No one will dare touch it.

They are probably not car people so just won't recognize it as a Tesla after that anyway.

Mitsubishi badges would probably be just as effective.

richms

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#3375014 20-May-2025 17:10

I just got an email that the towbar is available in NZ now.

https://shop.tesla.com/en_nz/product/model-3-tow-package?tesla_logged_in=Y

Richard rich.ms

MikeFly

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#3375064 20-May-2025 18:16

Yeah got that as well. $2250 must come with a trailer.

Think I will stick with the Ute for towing.

wellygary

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#3375066 20-May-2025 18:17

richms:

I just got an email that the towbar is available in NZ now.

https://shop.tesla.com/en_nz/product/model-3-tow-package?tesla_logged_in=Y

That looks like a pretty swanky "fold away" movement, but for $2K+ I suppose it had better be, plus you have to bring your own plug in options.

Dingbatt

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#3375109 20-May-2025 21:04

Interesting that the linked blurb says it’s compatible with all Model 3s, 2017-2023 and 2024, excluding Performance models. The picture of the rear area is of the Highland Model 3.

So does that mean my 2022 M3rwd is now certified for towing in NZ? It certainly wasn’t before. Likewise, there was no “trailer mode” in the software. Has that now made an appearance as well? I must have a look.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

Obraik

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#3375282 21-May-2025 15:33

Dingbatt:

Interesting that the linked blurb says it’s compatible with all Model 3s, 2017-2023 and 2024, excluding Performance models. The picture of the rear area is of the Highland Model 3.

So does that mean my 2022 M3rwd is now certified for towing in NZ? It certainly wasn’t before. Likewise, there was no “trailer mode” in the software. Has that now made an appearance as well? I must have a look.

Yes, your car is now certified...although based on how many wee cars I see towing trailers, I don't think NZ actually has any legal certification requirements for towing?

The trailer mode options in the software pops up when the car is told that it has the towing package - which they would enable during the time of install. I was told at the SC last year that if you have an aftermarket tow bar that uses the OEM wiring module, they can enable the trailer mode functionality if you take it into them

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wellygary

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#3375285 21-May-2025 15:41

Obraik:

Yes, your car is now certified...although based on how many wee cars I see towing trailers, I don't think NZ actually has any legal certification requirements for towing?

I think towing requires an "adequate coupling" meaning this is up to the driver's discretion,

- or any enforcement officer who decides it isn't

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dafman

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#3375492 22-May-2025 06:11

Obraik:

The trailer mode options in the software pops up when the car is told that it has the towing package - which they would enable during the time of install. I was told at the SC last year that if you have an aftermarket tow bar that uses the OEM wiring module, they can enable the trailer mode functionality if you take it into them

ICE owner here. I don’t understand. Normal world, you chuck a towbar onto the back of your car, simple wiring, attach a trailer, end of.

Yet with a Tesla you need a software update to do so?????

Bung

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#3375494 22-May-2025 07:08

ICE vehicles have same issues. Despite having factory trailer wiring i have to disable rear parking sensors and switch off autonomous emergency braking if towing.

How is the hitch receiver attached on the M3? Does it also plug in or does it fold?

For most cars $1000 gets you a tow bar with removable ball mount (choice of 17/8 or 50mm). An extra $1000 that makes you kneel on ground seems OTT.

richms

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#3376260 23-May-2025 20:14

And now I finally get offered the software update that restores the 12v outlets working all the time in the car. A week after I take out my Ryobi car fridge since it had become a pain to swap batteries into it to keep it running

Richard rich.ms

Obraik

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#3376269 23-May-2025 20:56

dafman:

ICE owner here. I don’t understand. Normal world, you chuck a towbar onto the back of your car, simple wiring, attach a trailer, end of.

Yet with a Tesla you need a software update to do so?????

You don’t need to get a software update to tow, but having the software makes it a little less annoying by disabling the parking sensors and makes it a bit safer by modifying emergency braking to take into account the trailer and disabling autosteer. The last two things you can kinda do manually by adjusting these settings yourself, or just not using them

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richms

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#3376689 26-May-2025 10:11

It also changes the amount of regen applied. Regen on the back wheels when there is a trailer attached causes some handling issues I was told where the car will buck back and forwards.

Richard rich.ms

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